The 48th annual Westchester Radio Aero
Modelers (WRAM) Show, held February

26-28, 2016, proved to be another
great event. The gathering included
many traditional vendors, displays, and
organizations, and featured several new
attractions. As usual, the swap shop area
was filled to the walls. Numerous deals
on airplanes, helicopters, radios, engines,
kits, and even multirotors were available.

By Sunday, a few bargains remained, but
many were already in the hands of new
owners.

The WRAM Show has evolved
throughout the years, and it truly reflects
the changes in our hobby. Stick-built
kits, covering, and building materials are
not as common now, yet modelers can
find high-quality accessories, glues, and
virtually all of the items needed to build
their favorite aircraft.

Appearing for the third year was the
AMA Mobile RC Experience trailer. It
was recently updated with new LED
monitors, computers, electronics, and
simulators to deliver the best experience
for visitors, and apparently it does!

Although many children enjoyed the
virtual flying, older, experienced AMA
members did as well.

New to this year’s event was drone
racing, conducted by District II clubs
Drone Addiction and Safety Third.

Both clubs conducted exhibition FPV
drone races all three days and are all
about having fun in a safe environment.

The crowds enjoyed watching the FPV
flying on a screen located behind a safety
net, and the pilots happily answered
spectators’ questions. It was nice to see
families and members of all generations
enjoying this fast-growing, competitive
category on our hobby.

A tradition at the WRAM Show
is Saturday’s AMA Membership
Meeting. The crowd was exceptionally
interested in the FAA’s UAV registration
requirement and the state of affairs in
model aircraft regulations.

One thing that was abundantly clear
was that not all modelers are aware of
the significant protections of the Special
Rule for Model Aircraft, Section 336

of Public Law 112-95. All members
should take some time to familiarize
themselves with Section 336, and follow
the FAA Government Relations blog at
www.modelaircraft.org. Contact your
associate vice president or me for more
information.

The WRAM club works hard to
deliver a show that represents all of our
recreational aeromodeling interests. It’s
not an easy task. Show planning begins
a year in advance and has already begun
for 2017. The 49th annual WRAM Show
is scheduled for February 24-26, 2017. I
hope to see you there!

Remember, it’s not about what you
fly; it’s about the people and the friends
you make.

Spectators watch FPV racing from behind the

safety net.

A Q&A session was held during the AMA
Membership Meeting at the WRAM Show.

Jacob Marlin
was the
winner of the
DX9 radio
at the AMA
Membership
Meeting. Here
he is with his
dad, Todd (L),
and District II
Vice President
Eric Williams.